Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-21

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The first table below shows changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.0)

There is three tables below the first one is showing changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000.

While the other two tables showing changes in population of the five districts of the city Manhattan,Brooklyn,Bronx,Queens,Staten Island over the same period.

In the first table population in the New York city were 79,216 in year 1800,then it increase in 1900 and the population were 3,437,202, and in 2000 it increase almost double from recent century and the population were 8,009,185.

In the second chart there is District Manhattan of New York city in 1800 the population were 60,515 its were 76 percent of total population and then in 1900 the population decrease and it was almost 54 percent of total population the population were 1,850,093 moreover in 2000 it was just 19 percent of total population and the population were reach 1,538,096.

In the third chart there is a data of other four cities in 1800 century the population were 18,701 it was 24 percent of total population further in 1900 the population were 1,587,109 it was 56 percent of total population and in the end in 2000 the population were 6,471,089 it was 81 percent of total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the data, including the total population growth and the shifting proportions of the districts. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical, relying heavily on listing figures rather than synthesising trends. While the task is addressed, the reporting of the data is occasionally inaccurate or confusing, such as the phrasing '1800 century' and the repetitive structure used to describe the percentages. To reach a higher band, you should focus on grouping data more effectively to highlight the most significant changes, such as the dramatic shift in population distribution from Manhattan to the other four districts over the two-century period.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes repetitive, with 'the population were' appearing frequently at the start of sentences. There is a lack of variety in linking words, which makes the progression of ideas feel mechanical. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as in the final paragraph where 'other four cities' is used instead of 'districts'. Improving the use of transition signals and varying sentence structures would significantly enhance the logical flow of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks range and precision. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'increase', 'decrease', and 'population'. There are also some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'the population were reach' and 'recent century' (when referring to the 20th century). To improve, you should incorporate more varied verbs and nouns to describe trends, such as 'surged', 'plummeted', 'accounted for', or 'proportion'. Spelling is generally accurate, but the lack of sophisticated vocabulary limits the score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'There is three tables', 'the population were'). There are also issues with article usage and sentence structure, such as run-on sentences and missing prepositions. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of basic errors in simple structures prevents the use of more complex forms. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and ensuring that each sentence has a clear, grammatically correct structure before attempting more complex sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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